Couldn’t be worse, Cooter’s a great guy, on screen and off!

While Kota and I were on our afternoon hike, I spotted some pine trees that Brandon had trimmed, and which were now leaking sap. I hope they’ll be OK, will have to Google that.

Update: leaking sap is nature’s way of protecting the wounds from boring insects, so all’s good.

I came home to this package stuffed firmly into my mailbox with a very contrite note on top from my mail lady apologizing for ramming it in so tight and saying she’d try to get it back out later this evening and then she’d drop it off at my house. I had to leave her a note in return thanking her for ending my work day with a laugh and wondering who had the toughest time, her shoving the box in or me tugging it back out again.

An arty view of the electrician’s house in town, his home is understandably always the first to display holiday lights.

A beautiful day for a hike. Another trek along the Appalachian Trail, this time from Front Royal. 

I met two English friends I hadn’t seen for years and after an afternoon at a winery we ended up at The Hunter’s Head, loosely styled as a British pub. It was fun catching up, especially with no one checking phones for the whole time. Just like the old days!

Little Rosie Lee is all tuckered out after doing nothing all day. I wish I could sleep like a cat.

23 Nov, 2017

After a huge Thanksgiving lunch, I took Steve and Jason out to the woods close to the house for a hike.  They made me chuckle when they both concentrated really hard to take a photo of the rocks we’d climbed down from, as though they’d tackled Mount Everest.

Kota Kat sitting on his fleece, purring louder than a Harley, and dreaming of a big turkey dinner that he’s expecting tomorrow.

These horrendously ugly and warped ‘cat’ bottles of wine were on sale for $10. It didn’t look like many had left the shelf, I’d imagine any self respecting cat lover would have turned tail and scarpered in the opposite direction.

Poor little Kota tries to lift his head. He’s still sedated after having blood taken for a test that will hopefully yield great results tomorrow. The doctor said he looked amazing, so with some rest tonight, he’ll hopefully be up for his hike again tomorrow afternoon.

Kind of a shame that, with a name of The Gathering Room, I was the only one who pushed a door open and went inside. There was a welcome screen behind me and these amazing chandeliers. The new Museum of the Bible is, in my eyes, a hit.

Had to pick up some meds at Kota’s doctors’ office and loved their slightly sinister Thanksgiving decor outside. I wonder how many of the dog patients stopped to bark at these?

Rosie Lee pulls the funniest faces on camera, especially selfies, like this one. She always makes me laugh.

I like the way my light shade distorts the light bulb so it appears to be melting.

Our refurbished 7/11 in Marshall will hopefully soon be open, judging by the 7.11 gas price on the new sign, and I will be very happy. It’s been additional stress trying to find another gas station with low prices and I e often had to pay higher.

With the freezing cold evenings, snuggling on the sofa in front of the fire is a must. Little Rosie Lee takes it to the extreme and likes to be completely covered by fleeces. Well, almost.

While it’s freezing cold outside we’re all happy to snuggle together on the sofa.

An almost surreal evening. What started as a reception for artist Yuri Gorbachev in Middleburg ended up with myself, Emily and Margie having dinner at the gallery owner’s house, enjoying delicious food and champagne with other guests. An interesting experience!

Kota got a lovely ‘get well’ card from a fellow feline, called Marbles, who lives down in Gordonsville. Which was nice.

Showing how America is growing larger and larger. Only a few years ago, we could only get hold of 5X shirts. Now they go up to 10X. Here, I’m modeling a 9X.

Our  e-mail Christmas card to send out to clients this year. 

It’s been wet and rainy all day with mists hanging in the valleys, perfect weather to have the wood stove burning and cats sitting in front of the orange lit stove doors while the gloom deepens outside.

This was how the doctor listened to Kota’s heart, by making him look out of the window to distract him and stop his complaining. It worked and was amusing to watch. I’ll give a full report on Lucent Moments at the weekend.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

I took Emily, Jason and Steve down to Sperryville, where we picked up a couple of bushels of fresh apples and then tasted some fine beers and whisky at Pen Druid and Copper Fox.

The little man is still doing well, giving little grunts of pleasure while sleeping instead of groans of pain. It’s a joy to watch him slumbering.

It’s amazing how much better Kota is feeling today. He’s walked quite a bit on 2 hikes and looks a lot happier. Feeling positive that Monday will give us the results we’re hoping for, and a way to end the fluid build up can be found.

Despite having a litre of fluid drained from his abdomen and feeling woozy, Kota was determined to eat some dinner before snoozing off his sedative. Appointment with a cardiologist and a cardiogram will be on Monday to see if his discomfort can be alleviated.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Kota tried rolling but failed, due to the fluid in his abdomen, so just laid and soaked in the sun. I thought his shadow looked like a big black rat laying next to him.